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Business Profile

Boating Club

Freedom Boat Club, LLC

Headquarters

This business is NOT BBB Accredited.

Find BBB Accredited Businesses in Boating Club.

Complaints

This profile includes complaints for Freedom Boat Club, LLC's headquarters and its corporate-owned locations. To view all corporate locations, see

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Freedom Boat Club, LLC has 129 locations, listed below.

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    Customer Complaints Summary

    • 43 total complaints in the last 3 years.
    • 18 complaints closed in the last 12 months.

    If you've experienced an issue

    Submit a Complaint

    The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

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    Complaint status

    Complaint type

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:04/08/2025

      Type:Service or Repair Issues
      Status:
      Answered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      Boats are not well maintained. The last several boats we have taken out have been super sluggish. Took a 150xl HP out of ******, and it MAXs out at 15 mph. Sadly this is our experience almost every time we take a boat out. Monthly fees have not decreased despite fewer boats and locations and the boats do not work properly

      Business Response

      Date: 04/08/2025

      Hello,

      I do apologize for your experience with the boats. I have forwarded your complaint to the area director, ******* so that they can be made aware of your experiences and reach out to you to discuss with you further. 

      I do see that you have upcoming reservations and hope you have the kind of experience we want all of our members to have. If for some reason you have any problems, please call us at ************ so that we can address quickly.

      Thank you.

      Sincerely,

      Freedom Boat Club

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:03/18/2025

      Type:Product Issues
      Status:
      Resolved
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      On June 24, 2024, I contacted the representative, ***** *******, via email stated we needed to cancel our membership. He explained all we needed to do was to each (me and my wife) send an email requesting cancelation. He stated our final payment would be in August. We both sent the email, as well as three follow up emails, but received no response. They were very quick to respond until we stated we needed to cancel. The cancelation was mostly due to financial hardship.

      Business Response

      Date: 03/14/2025

      Hello,

      Our apologies for the delayed response. Freedom Boat Club has many locations and recently acquired this club (that the complaint came into) which was a franchise location previously. 

      The club that Mr. ******** was a member with is actually a franchise out of ******** who are independently owned and operated. Their local contact information is *********************************************************************** or ************

      Thank you.

      Customer Answer

      Date: 03/25/2025

       
      Better Business Bureau:

      The business has been in contact with me directly and resolved my concerns. The complaint can now be closed. 

      Sincerely,

      *** ********

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:02/10/2025

      Type:Sales and Advertising Issues
      Status:
      Answered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      Joined Club 4/22/2023 and paid $4,439 "one-time membership" fee. Maintained a $400+/monthly fee to access boats with 3 advance reservations. Had monthly fee on auto draft. Credit card expired in 06/24 (which they often do!) and I updated it though their system. Suspended my ability to use club. Sent 4 emails, 12 phone calls to correct issue and the company would not respond to collect money...insane. An employee working from home said private company was purchased by publicly traded company ********* and was having difficulty coordinating payments. Crazy!Kept calling and emailing with no response. 6 mos later get a bill for back monthly fees for over $6800. Well at least I had a contact person in accounting so I thought I could get it resolved. ***** Tampa Receivables Team Direct Line: ************** Freedom Boat Club Called and emailed multiple times with no response. In my business life, I have never experienced a company not wanting to accept payment. But when hurricane disaster hit FL the accounting **** tries to (audit) collect back monthly fees when I could not use the service. ******** acquisition *********. Take the write off when you file for BK.

      Business Response

      Date: 03/14/2025

      Hello,

      Our apologies for the delay in responding. This club was a franchise club and recently acquired by the corporate Freedom Boat Club and the person you were trying to reach is no longer with the company.

      I do apologize for the inconvenience and difficulties you experienced with your account. I sent your complaint to the accounts receivable manager, and he did send you an email on February 27th to the email we had on file, ******************** (email attached). Your balance was written off and if we can assist further, please reach out to us.

      Thank you.

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:12/18/2024

      Type:Product Issues
      Status:
      Answered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      I am a member of the boat club. I damaged a propellor. The dockmaster said the cost would be between ****** and ******. That is the cost of the cheap props they buy. They also buy in bulk. I got a call from their *** confirming they are going to charge me for the damage. I told the *** ok but I am cancelling my membership. That was the end of the conversation. I checked my bank account and they charged ****** to my debit card. The *** got mad that I told him I was going to cancel the membership and decided to rob me by charging a gouging amount of money. I want a ****** refund to bring the charge in line with what a cheap prop costs/

      Business Response

      Date: 03/28/2025

      Good afternoon,

      I have reviewed your account and a refund was issued for the $690.00 prop charge.

      We have received your cancelation request which you submitted in December, per your contract there is a 60-day cancelation which makes your final payment this past January. Your account stands past due at $877.40.

      I have attached a copy of the email from our accounting department which was sent to you on January 14th stating your was cancelation received, and the balance owed. Also shows your cancelation that you submitted.

      Please reach out to us directly if you have further questions.

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:12/05/2024

      Type:Product Issues
      Status:
      Answered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      I joined freedom boat club. I was told I had to take lessons and make appointments. No one ever calls me back. When they do they tell me they booked my appointment and gives me dates obmvrr the phone. It never happens. When it does its the wrong location the service is the worse in the world. I would like this resolved our given my money back

      Business Response

      Date: 03/12/2025

      Hello, we do apologize for the inconvenience and delayed response. The ******* to Stuart **** was recently acquired by the corporate locations and we are working to resolve all open complaints. In searching Mr. ******** complaint and his membership, I do see that he was trained in December and has been using the ****.

      If there is any further assistance needed place call us at ************.

      Thank you.

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:11/04/2024

      Type:Service or Repair Issues
      Status:
      Answered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      I signed up Freedom boat club of *************. I have asked over 20 times to cancel my membership and they continually charge my card without authorization. They do not respond. I want a refund and to never be charged again.

      Business Response

      Date: 03/12/2025

      Good afternoon, we do apologize for the delayed response, the South Florida **** was recently acquired by the corporate locations, and we are working to resolve all complaints. I am unable to open the attachment, but I do show the account for Mr. ****** was on hold per request and the last hold payment was taken November 1, 2024. No other payments have been collected since then and the account is closed. 

      If anything further is needed from us to resolve this, please let us know so we can further research.

      Thank you.

      Customer Answer

      Date: 03/13/2025

       
      Complaint: 22504172

      I am rejecting this response because:I first attempted to cancel four months before billing stopped, yet I never received any confirmation that my membership was actually canceled. During this time, I continued to be charged, despite reaching out to your accounting department and multiple service contacts over 10 times with no response.
      Given that my cancellation request was ignored and I was still billed, I am requesting a full refund for the four months of unauthorized charges. Additionally, I was also charged for insurance during this period, which I expect to be refunded as well.
      Please confirm receipt of this letter and provide a resolution as soon as possible. I can provide documentation of my cancellation attempts if necessary. You may reach me at [your phone number] or [your email] to discuss this matter further.

      Sincerely,

      **** ******

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:08/12/2024

      Type:Order Issues
      Status:
      Unanswered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      worst place to be affiliated with . when you disagree with their unfair practices that go against your contract they call the cops on you and say you were drinking. not one drink in my cooler or anything the cops said it was just so ridiculous and they would go to court for me with them lying to me and about me. they then closed my account after only being there 6 weeks i lost over 7000..........do not let this be your fate!

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:05/09/2024

      Type:Service or Repair Issues
      Status:
      Answered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      On may 6, 2024 while boating from ***************, ***************, *******, our boat broke 2 cables and became unable to navigate. We were in the inter coastal just minutes from 2 freedom Boat Club locations. When called, they indicated they each had 2 persons working but could not come get us. They called a towing service who called us and said it would be at least an hour and a half wait. We reported this to *************** location, ********** location, and called the main office and spoke with customer service. No assistance there. We were told we could call other boat locations to see if they could come get us. No help. All we kept being told was we had to stay with the boat until it was towed back to its original boat location. This happened to us before and that location came and got us and even brought us another boat. This is unacceptable solution to a possibly serious situation. The Freedom boat Club needs to have in place a procedure to assist boaters when a boat they failed to maintain breaks.

      Business Response

      Date: 03/28/2025

      Hello ****,

      First, I apologize for the delayed response. We have been going through some organizational changes, and we are now trying to resolve all outstanding issues.

      I do apologize that you had this experience, this is not what our members should have to go through. I have sent this to the Director for the area along with your information, the issues you experienced, and the reservation information with a request for contact regarding tour policies in place to assist members in the unfortunate event a boat does have mechanical issues.

      Please reach out to us at ************ if we can assist further.

      Sincerely,

      Freedom Boat Club

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:04/03/2024

      Type:Service or Repair Issues
      Status:
      Resolved
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      ********* has unfairly terminated my membership. After a day on the boat, I left the ******* I later found out that one person who was on the boat with me was being rowdy in the parking lot and someone called the police. This incident had nothing to do with me, I wasnt even there when this happened and the boat had been safely returned. I am requesting they refund my membership fees since I joined as I had nothing to do with the incident and it happened after I left.

      Business Response

      Date: 03/28/2025

      Hello,

      I do apologize for the very delayed response. This club was a franchise and was taken over by corporate and we are not working to resolve past issues. 

      I do see that your membership is active, and you have been boating. I do not see any notes on your membership related to this incident.

      If you need any further assistance, please call us at ************.

      Thank you,

      Freedom Boat Club

      Customer Answer

      Date: 03/31/2025

       
      Better Business Bureau:

      I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.

      Sincerely,

      ******* *******

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:02/29/2024

      Type:Order Issues
      Status:
      Unanswered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      My children and grandchildren came to visit for two weeks over the holidays.I wanted them to have great vacation, so I contacted the Freedom Boat Club to inquire about renting a boat. I was put in contact with a salesman, explained to him my situation and he recommended that I get a membership.Their contract stated that during the high season there is no guarantee that a boat would be available.This worried me since my goal was specifically to rent a boat during the high season. I asked the salesman about this multiple times, and he repeatedly told me not to worry, that I would have absolutely no problem renting one over the holidays.I went ahead and spent over $3,000 on a membership.Once I paid for my membership, no boat was available.The salesman told me AFTER I paid to go on their website and there is no guarantee of availability. He lied to me in order to make his sale.Since it was a ******** of ********* a trusted company ( in my mind), I explained the situation but finally they did not want to reimburses me or compensate me in any way.I am extremely disappointed, it appears like a scam. Special for a company own by *********.Regards,*******

    Freedom Boat Club, LLC is NOT a BBB Accredited Business.

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